Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all get to spend today with those you love. I’m so thankful for all the support you give me everyday. Without it my blog wouldn’t be where it is today. Thank you so much for following along and have a great holiday!

I’m back with another favorite Friday. This week I have some Q&A with the adorable Emily from The Rancher’s Daughter. Emily grew up on a ranch in Arizona and now lives in Los Angeles. Not only does she look great in front of the camera, but she’s also an uber talented photographer. Make sure to check out her blog if you’re not familiar.

When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging when I was 19, the summer after my first semester in college. I actually first started The Rancher’s Daughter to share my love of cooking and photography. I grew up on a ranch in Arizona and my mom has always cooked for my dad and the cowboy crew. I grew to love cooking with her and trying my own new recipes, so I thought a blog would be a great way to share what I made and share my fun adventures of life on the ranch. Now living in California, my life and my interests have grown—since living in California, I’ve adopted a love of fashion, beauty, glitz and glam, but I’ll always be the same western girl who grew up riding horses and cooking with my mom.

What’s the best thing blogging has brought to your life?

The best thing blogging has brought to my life is its ability to inspire others. I love to blog; to write, to create: to express myself. But what I love even more is when people read my blog, really like it, and get something out of it! It makes me the happiest girl in the world when a reader emails me, comments to one of my posts wanting to talk, saying thank you, or asking a further question. Stuff like that makes me love this whole process even more.

How do you spend your weekends?

When I’m not with Brennan, I like to workout, take or edit photos while sipping on tea, go flea market shopping, talk to my family on the phone… I have two sisters whom I’m very close to but they live back in Arizona. If I was home, where I grew up, I’d probably go horseback riding, work in the garden with mom, play with our beagles , take a hike…or bake something yummy.

What’s your favorite color this second?

Mint green right at this very moment

Favorite designer?

My favorite designer is probably Alexander Mc Queen. His is such a wonderful artist. His designs to me are so beautiful. But since I’ll probably never own anything of his, I’ll tell you my favorite brands too . And that’s Free People and Spell. Both of these are absolutely inspiring to me in every way. Wish I could own everything they create!

Who would play you in a movie?

Cameron Diaz. My family has always told me that I’m like her…apparently my family hangs out with her on a daily basis to know that ;).

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?

A sea world trainer—dolphin trainer to be exact

What’s one thing you never leave home without (other than the essentials)

Lipstick. Lipgloss. Chapstick. Or perhaps all of them. I hate the feeling when my lips are dry/bare!

Advice to other bloggers?

Honestly, don’t get caught up with trying to become successful. Comparing yourself to other bloggers and trying to get x amount of followers takes all the joy out of it. There will always be someone better or more popular than you are. Just take that as an opportunity to encourage them or look up to them! And trust me! I struggle with this, when I start to become too focused on the wrong stuff, I just remind myself why I started the blog and how much fun I have doing it. Other people should not dictate your happiness. Be happy if you have one follower or one thousand followers. Either way, you’re inspiring or helping someone . And that’s all of us bloggers ever want to do!

It’s officially been a year since I started this little blog. I kind of feel like a parent of a one-year-old, only instead of throwing a party and stuffing cake in my child’s face, I’m dressing up and posing with this giant #1 balloon. I’m also pretty sure the person who filled it with helium thought it was going to a kid’s first Birthday.

I started this site as an outlet for creativity when I needed it most. I was burnt out at a job I’d had for several years and trying to decide how I would grow professionally. One year and a few jobs later, I can truly say this blog helped present me with the opportunities to land my dream job. Thank YOU for reading and following along!!!

Happy Friday! I thought I’d start a new feature where I introduce you to some of my favorite bloggers. Some you might already know, but maybe you’ll learn a little more about them. First up is the lovely Whitney of See Shop Eat Do. Whitney is a Canadian living in Los Angles and is always going somewhere fun and then sharing the details. Not only does she have killer style, but her shoe collection is what dreams are made of. I have total closet envy! Check out her blog and interview below.

When and why did you start blogging?

I started a few years ago; I was taking a marketing class and as part of a project we had to start a blog. I’m really glad I took the class!

What’s the best thing blogging has brought to your life?

It has helped to introduce me to some amazing people and I’ve had the opportunity to work with brands that I admire.

How do you spend your weekends?

I love to go to the farmer’s market, ride my bike by the beach, try out new restaurants and do some shopping.

What’s your favorite color right this second?

Navy blue

What would your “last meal” be?

Hmmm that’s a tough one! Maybe the crab hand roll from Sugarfish, or the truffle pasta at Hostaria del Piccolo!

Other than the essentials, what’s one thing you won’t leave the house without?

I always bring a snack with me! Usually a cheese string or a mixed nut package from Trader Joes. I’m always worried about being hungry!

Advice to other bloggers?

Don’t try to copy what other blogs do, be unique. Also be nice and try to make friends with other bloggers as they sometimes have good advice! I also thing that it’s important not to take blogging too seriously – it’s supposed to be fun.

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to a Swarovski event at their new store at The Grove. After I previewed their new collection and tried on some jewels I joined a few other bloggers friends (and met some new ones!) for dinner with the lovely ladies of Swarovski.

Here are a few photos from the event.

ps – I told you yesterday I was over wearing that jacket, here I am wearing it again!

If you follow me on instagram you’ve already seen the pictures from dinner.